In an effort to address the need for affordable housing in Hillsborough County, a new apartment complex is on the horizon, set to open its doors to both neurotypical residents and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Baytown Apartments, located at 7155 Montague St. in Tampa, offers a rare opportunity for an inclusive community where residents of differing abilities can live side by side. This initiative, it seems, aims to seamlessly integrate the often marginalized population with the rest of society.
Of the 30 apartments in the complex, half are designated for individuals with disabilities such as autism, spina bifida, and Down syndrome, according to a Hillsborough County report. In this move to provide accessible living options, the county has contributed over $1.5 million toward the $16 million project. The collaboration between CDS Monarch and InVictus Development LLC has specifically designed Baytown to offer an independent living option for its residents. The eligibility cap for these units is set at 60 percent of the Area Median Income, ensuring the apartments remain affordable to those in need.
Prospective tenants can choose from 15 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom units, each offering amenities like a community room, fitness center, computer center, and outdoor picnic area. These common spaces encourage community building and provide the residents the chance to engage with one another in a more integrated, social setting.
The inauguration of the complex will be marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 9:30 a.m. tomorrow. Interested parties and members of the community are invited to attend the event at Baytown Apartments' address on Montague Street. For those unable to attend but who wish to learn more about the development and its mission to foster inclusive living, further details can be found through the provided link to the Hillsborough County's newsroom announcement.
